Portable hyperventilation relieving device

ABSTRACT

The hyperventilation relieving device includes a carbon dioxide cartridge holding housing and an inhaler tube and valvesupporting head in threaded engagement in such a manner that as they are rotated relative to one another an orifice-defining prong may be forced to puncture the cartridge. Puncturing of the cartridge results in the flow of carbon dioxide to the inhaler tube at a metered rate, which rate is determined by the transverse cross section of the orifice. A manually operated valve mounted on the head may be selectively placed in a first position to permit metered flow of carbon dioxide to the inhaler tube or in a second position to obstruct flow of carbon dioxide from the cartridge. The housing includes safety vent means to automatically bleed all carbon dioxide from the cartridge prior to the housing and head being separated from one another.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,776,227 Pitesky'et al. Dec. 4, 1973PORTABLE HYPERVENTILATION RELIEVING DEVICE Filed: Jan. 31, 1972 Appl.No.: 222,048

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-Lee S. CohenAttorney-William C. Babcock 57 ABSTRACT The hyperventilation relievingdevice includes a carbon dioxide cartridge holding housing and aninhaler tube and valve-supporting head in threaded engagement in such amanner that as they arerotated relative [52] US. Cl. 128/203, 222/5,137/318 to one another an eefi lng p ong may be [51] Int. Cl. A6lm 15/00forced to p n h ridg Pun ring of the [58] Field of Search 128/203, 210,209, cartridge results in the f of rbon i xide to the 128/208, 211, 205,206, 207, 184; 137/313 inhaler tube at a metered rate, which rate isdeter- 320, 321, 322; 222/5, 3 mined by the transverse cross section ofthe orifice. A manually operated valve mounted on the head may be [56] Rferen Cit d selectively placed in a first position to permit meteredUNITED STATES PATENTS flow of carbon dioxide to the inhaler tube or in asecond position to obstruct flow of carbon dioxide from zg i if thecartridge. The housing includes safety vent means 3:227:310 1H9) h 2225to automatically bleed all carbon dioxide from the car- 3,326,231 6/1967Hogg 123 203 x "idge Prior to the housing and head being SeparatedFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS from one another 791,183 2/1958 GreatBritain...;. 128/203 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures L 86 i8 6' g f az 3% 72fifle 36 84 50 O2 46' -i-y PORTABLE HYPERVENTILATION RELIEVING DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

Portable Hyperventilation Relieving Device. 2. Description of the PriorArt:

Numerous persons when subjected to strain or undue stress breathe at amore rapid rate than normal, and as a result their system is subjectedto an imbalance of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Such an imbalance resultsin light-headedness or hyperventilation.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to supply aportable hyperventilation relieving device that employs conventionalcarbon dioxide cartridges as a source of the carbon dioxide, is of asimple mechanical structure, and is convenient and safe to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION of carbon dioxide from the cartridge to theinhaler tube. A particular feature of the invention is that all flow ofcarbon dioxide to the breather tube or mouthpiece. is at a predeterminedmetered rate. Any danger of the housing and head flying apart due tocarbon di- 7 oxide remaining in the cartridge as the head and housingare unscrewed from one another is eliminated by such carbon dioxidebeing automatically vented to the ambient atmosphere prior to such aseparation being effected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thehyperventilation relieving device;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device with the valvein a carbon dioxide flow-obstruction position; and

FIG. 3 is a second vertical cross sectional view of the device with thevalve in a carbon dioxide flowpermitting position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The hyperventilation relievingdevice A shown in FIG. 1 includes a carbon dioxide inhaler tube ormouthpiece B that is removably connected to a head C. The head C isthreadedly connected to an elongate cup-shaped housing D in which aconventional carbon dioxide cartridge E is contained. By rotation of thehead C and housing D relative to one another, a longitudinally aperturedprong F that is supported in the head C may be moved to puncture a neckportion of cartridge B. After the cartridge E has been punctured, carbondioxide flows therefrom through an ori free 12 at a metered rate toenter passage means 14 in head C that are in communication with inhalertube B.

A valve K is mounted on head C, with the valve, when in a firstposition, obstructing the flow of carbon dioxide through the passagemeans 14. When the valve K is moved to a second position, flow of carbondioxide may take place through passage means 14 at a metered rate toinhaler tube B. The housing D has at least one opening 16 therein thatis so disposed that carbon diox' ide above atmospheric pressure withinthe confines of the housing is automatically vented to the ambientatmosphere prior to the head C and housing D being unscrewed from oneanother.

In detail, it will be seen that the inhaler tube B has a first end 18 onwhich an oval shaped, outwardly projecting bead 20 is defined that maybe easily engaged by the lips (not shown) of the user. The second endportion 22 of inhaler tube B is in the form of a circular boss ofsmaller transverse cross section than the body of inhaler tube Badjacent thereto. Boss 22 at the junction with inhaler tube B defines abody shoulder 24. The boss 22 on the outer extremity thereof includes anend piece 26 in which an opening 28 is formed that is of substantiallygreater transverse cross section than that of orifice 12.

Head C is formed from a rigid material and includes a first end 30, asmay be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a second end portion 32. The secondend portion 32 is of circular transverse cross section and of smallertransverse area than the balance of the head. The second end portion 32and the portion 34 of the head thereabove cooperate to define a bodyshoulder 36 at their junction, as may best be seen in FIG. 3.

Housing D, as previously mentioned, is of cup-shape configuration andincludes a cylindrical side wall 38 and end wall 40. The interiorsurface of side wall 38 adjacent the open end thereof has first threads42 formed therein. First threads 42 are engaged by second threads 44defined on the exterior surface of second end portion 32.

Head portion 34, as best seen in FIG. 3, has a first transverse cavity46 therein that is frictionally engaged by second end portion 22 of theinhaler tube B. A second cavity 48 extends upwardly in second endportion 32 and snugly engages the neck portion 10 of cartridge E, whichneck portion is of tapered configuration. A groove 50 extends outwardlyfrom second cavity 48. The groove 50 supports a resilient ring 52 thatis in sealing contact with neck portion 10 when the head C i and housingD are in full threaded engagement.

The second cavity 48 is in communication with a first tapped bore 54that is engaged by the externally threaded prong F, as shown in FIG. 3.The prong F projects downwardly into second cavity 48 and punctures thecartridge neck portion as the head C and housing D are screwed togetherto the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The passage means 14, as may be seen in FIG. 3, include axially alignedsecond and third bores 56 and 58, and a fourth transverse bore 60 thatis in communication with a third tapped cavity 62 shown in FIG. 3.Second bore 56 at the junctions with first bore 54 and third bore 58defines first and second ring-shaped body shoulders 64 and 66,respectively.

An orifice plate P is gripped between the upper end of prong F andsecond body shoulder 64, as shown in FIG. 3. Valve K includes a manuallyrotatable handle 67 that has a depending externally threaded boss 68formed as a part thereof, and the boss developing into a stem 70 thatextends into third bore 58. The threaded boss 68 engages the thirdtapped cavity 62 as shown in FIG. 3. Stem 70 has a transversecircumferential groove 72 in the portion thereof most adjacent secondbody shoulder 66, and the groove supporting a resilient sealing ring 74.The sealing ring 74, when not compressed, is radially spaced from theinterior surface of third bore 58. When handle 67 is rotated in theappropriate direction the stem moves from the second position shown inFIG. 3 to the first position illustrated in FIG. 2. When valve K is inthe first position, the sealing ring 74 is compressed and pressurecontacts second shoulder 66 and a section of the side wall of third bore58 to obstruct flow of carbon dioxide from cartridge E to inhaler tubeB.

The stem 70 has a circumferential slot 76 therein that is engaged by theinner end of a set screw 78, which screw also engages a fourthtransverse tapped bore 80 formed in head portion 34. The slot 76 is ofsubstantially greater width than the inner end of screw 78, and permitsthe valve member K to be selectively rotated to either the first orsecond position. Screw 78, due to engaging slot 76, prevents valvemember K from being inadvertently unscrewed from head- C.

The threads 42 are of such depth that they remain in engagement withthreads 44 until the seal between ring 50 and cartridge neck is brokenas the head C and housing D are unscrewed from one another. Breaking ofthe above-identified seal permits any carbon dioxide remaining incartridge E under pressure to flow automatically into the interior ofhousing D and escape to the ambient atmosphere through the vent opening16. Thus, the possibility of the head C and housing D flying apart dueto pressurized carbon dioxide as they are separated is eliminated.

The use and operation of the device is extremely simple. Valve K isplaced in the first position shown in FlG. 2. A sealed cartridge ofcarbon dioxide E is placed in housing D and the head C is then screwconnected to the housing. The housing D and head C are now rotatedrelative to one another until prong F punctures cartridge neck 10. Whenthe device is desired to be used, the valve member K is rotated to thesecond position to permit carbon dioxide to flow to the inhaler tube Bthat has the first end engaged by the lips (not shown) of the user. Flowof carbon dioxide to the inhaler tube B is at a metered rate, which rateis determined by the size of the orifice l2. Openings 82 may be formedin inhaler tube B to permit air to flow inwardly therethrough to mixwith carbon dioxide in the inhaler tube, prior to the carbon dioxidebeing inhaled by the user. When it is desired to separate the head Cfrom housing D to insert a new cartridge E of carbon dioxide in thehousing, the above-described procedure is simply reversed.

In FIG. 3 it will be noted that the orifice 12 is in communication withan aperture 84 that extends longitudinally through prong F. Aftercartridge E is punctured, carbon dioxide is at all times free to flowfrom the cartridge through aperture 84 and orifice 12 to the passagemeans 14. Flow of carbon dioxide from passage means 14 to inhaler tube Bmay occur only when valve K is in an open position as shown in FIG. 3.

We claim:

1. A portable hyperventilation relieving device that uses a sealedcartridge of liquid carbon dioxide having a puncturable neck portion,said device when in use providing a stream of gaseous carbon dioxide ata predetermined metered rate that is independent of the size of thepuncture in said neck portion, said device including:

a. an elongate cup shaped housing having an open end in which saidcartridge is disposed with said neck portion adjacent said open end,said housing having first threads defined thereon adjacent said openend;

a rigid head that has a first end, a second end por tion on which secondthreads are defined and rotatably engage said first threads and a sidewall extending between said first end and second end portion, a firstcavity that extends inwardly from said sidewall and communicates with afirst inwardly extending passage, a second cavity that extends inwardlyin said second end portion to communicate with a first tapped bore fromwhich a second axially aligned bore extends to communicate with a thirdaxially aligned bore that is in communication with said first passageand in communication with a third tapped cavity that extends inwardlyfrom said first end, said second bore and first and third bores at theirintersections defining first and second circular body shoulders;

a handle that includes a cylindrical externally threaded base thatextends outwardly therefrom and rotatably engages said third tappedcavity, and a stem of less transverse cross section than that of saidthird bore that is axially aligned with said base and extends outwardlytherefrom, said stem disposed in said third bore and cooperatingtherewith to define an annulus shaped space that is at all times incommunication with said first passage;

d. first sealing means on said second end portion that seal with theexternal surface of said neck portion after said first and secondthreads have been brought into rotatable engagement, with said rotatableengagement removably securing said housing to said head;

an orifice defining plate disposed in said first tapped bore and inabutting contact with said first body shoulder, with the size of theorifice in said plate determining the rate at which carbon dioxide gasdischarging from said cylinder can flow through said annulus shapedspace and passage to said first cavity;

f. second sealing means on said stem that may be brought into pressuresealing contact with said second body shoulder to obstruct flow ofcarbon dioxide gas between said cylinder and said annulus shaped spacewhen said handle is rotated relative to said head in an appropriatedirection;

. an externally threaded prong that engages said first tapped bore andbears against said orifice defining plate, said prong including apiercing portion that extends into said second cavity and punctures saidneck portion after said head and housing have been screwed together,said prong having a longitudinal passage therein communicating with saidorifice and aligned with said carbon dioxide cartridge through whichcarbon dioxide gas flows from said cylinder to said orifice after saidneck portion has been punctured;

h. a breather tube having first and second end portions, said first endportion being engageable by the mouth of the user, and said second endportion removably engaging said first cavity;

i. vent means in said housing for discharging carbon dioxide gas insidesaid housing that is at greater than atmospheric pressure to the ambientatmosphere after said housing and head have been unscrewed from oneanother to the extent that said first sealing means is moved out ofsealing contact with said neck portion; and

j. first means that permit said handle to be rotated to move said secondsealing means into and out of sealing contact with said second bodyshoulder but prevents said handle being inadvertently rotated out ofengagement with said head.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the neck portion of saidcartridge is less than that of the interior of said housing andcooperates with said housing to define a confined space, and said ventmeans is at least one transverse bore in said housing that at all timesmaintains communication between said confined space and the ambientatmosphere.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the free end of said stem hasa circumferential recess defined therein and said second sealing meansis a resilient O- ring mounted in said recess, and said breather tubehaving at least one transverse opening therein through which air fromthe ambient atmosphere may flow to mix with carbon dioxide in saidbreather tube prior to said carbon dioxide being inhaled by the user ofsaid device.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said second cavity has agroove extending outwardly therefrom, and said first sealing means is aresilient O-ring mounted in said groove.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said first means includes:

k. an elongate externally threaded member that engages a fourthtransverse tapped bore that extends inwardly from said sidewall to saidthird bore, said threaded member including an inner end portion disposedin said third bore that at all times is in engagement with acircumferential groove on said stem that is of sufficient longitudinallength as to permit said second sealing means to move into and out ofsealing contact with said second body shoulder by rotation of saidhandle relative to said head.

1. A portable hyperventilation relieving device that uses a sealedcartridge of liquid carbon dioxide having a puncturable neck portion,said device when in use providing a stream of gaseous carbon dioxide ata predetermined metered rate that is independent of the size of thepuncture in said neck portion, said device including: a. an elongate cupshaped housing having an open end in which said cartridge is disposedwith said neck portion adjacent said open end, said housing having firstthreads defined thereon adjacent said open end; b. a rigid head that hasa first end, a second end portion on which second threads are definedand rotatably engage said first threads and a side wall extendingbetween said first end and second end portion, a first cavity thatextends inwardly from said sidewall and communicates with a firstinwardly extending passage, a second cavity that extends inwardly insaid second end portion to communicate with a first tapped bore fromwhich a second axially aligned bore extends to communicate with a thirdaxially aligned bore that is in communication with said first passageand in communication with a third tapped cavity that extends inwardlyfrom said first end, said second bore and first and third bores at theirintersections defining first and second circular body shoulders; c. ahandle that includes a cylindrical externally threaded base that extendsoutwardly therefrom and rotatably engages said third tapped cavity, anda stem of less transverse cross section than that of said third borethat is axially aligned with said base and extends outwardly therefrom,said stem disposed in said third bore and cooperating therewith todefine an annulus shaped space that is at all times in communicationwith said first passage; d. first sealing means on said second endportion that seal with the external surface of said neck portion aftersaid first and second threads have been brought into rotatableengagement, with said rotatable engagement removably securing saidhousing to said head; e. an orifice defining plate disposed in saidfirst tapped bore and in abutting contact with said first body shoulder,with the size of the orifice in said plate determining the rate at whichcarbon dioxide gas discharging from said cylinder can flow through saidannulus shaped space and passage to said first cavity; f. second sealingmeans on said stem that may be brought into pressure sealing contactwith said second body shoulder to obstruct flow of carbon dioxide gasbetween said cylinder and said annulus shaped space when said handle isrotated relative to said head in an appropriate direction; g. anexternally threaded prong that engages said first tapped bore and bearsagainst said orifice defining plate, said prong including a piercingportion that extends into said second cavity and punctures said neckportion after said head and housing have been screwed together, saidprong having a longitudinal passage therein communicating with saidorifice and aligned with said carbon dioxide cartridge through whichcarbon dioxide gas flows from said cylinder to said orifice after saidneck portion has been punctured; h. a breather tube having first andsecond end portions, said first end portion being engageable by themouth of the user, and said second end portion removably engaging saidfirst cavity; i. vent means in said housing for discharging carbondioxide gas inside said housing that is at greater than atmosphericpressure to the ambient atmosphere after said housing and head have beenunscrewed from one another to the extent that said first sealing meansis moved out of sealing contact with said neck portion; and j. firstmeans that permit said handle to be rotated to move said second sealingmeans into and out of sealing contact with said second body shoulder butprevents said handle being inadvertently rotated out of engagement withsaid head.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the neck portionof said cartridge is less than that of the interior of said housing andcooperates with said housing to define a confined space, and said ventmeans is at least one transverse bore in said housing that at all timesmaintains communication between said confined space and the ambientatmosphere.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the free end ofsaid stem has a circumferential recess defined therein and said secondsealing means is a resilient O-ring mounted in said recess, and saidbreather tube having at least one transverse opening therein throughwhich air from the ambient atmosphere may flow to mix with carbondioxide in said breather tube prior to said carbon dioxide being inhaledby the User of said device.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid second cavity has a groove extending outwardly therefrom, and saidfirst sealing means is a resilient O-ring mounted in said groove.
 5. Adevice as defined in claim 1 in which said first means includes: k. anelongate externally threaded member that engages a fourth transversetapped bore that extends inwardly from said sidewall to said third bore,said threaded member including an inner end portion disposed in saidthird bore that at all times is in engagement with a circumferentialgroove on said stem that is of sufficient longitudinal length as topermit said second sealing means to move into and out of sealing contactwith said second body shoulder by rotation of said handle relative tosaid head.